The Consell de Ibiza has reaffirmed that free public transport on the island will be maintained under the same current conditions, guaranteeing free access to users holding transport cards issued by the institution. This measure is in line with recent statements made by the Balearic Government, which also assured that this benefit will be maintained in all the Balearic Islands despite the fall of the omnibus decree in Congress.
An island policy backed by the Balearic Government
From the Consell Insular, it was recalled that free public transport in Ibiza was implemented in 2022 to correct inequalities between the islands, when the central government offered to cover free trains and metro in Mallorca but only a 70% discount for buses in Ibiza. This disparity led the Consell to assume the full cost to guarantee free access. The Balearic Government has also supported this policy, pledging to work together with the Consell to ensure that Balearic residents can continue to enjoy free public transport, as stated by the Minister of Housing, Territory and Mobility, José Luis Mateo, last Wednesday.
Guaranteed funds for 2025
The Consell Insular has explained that, given the possibility that the central government would not approve the financing of the decree, sufficient funds were reserved in the 2025 budgets to fully cover the cost of the service Currently, the state government only contributes a part, while the Consell and the Govern Balearic assume the bulk of the costs. In this sense, Minister Mateo described as “improvised” the measure of the central government, approved in December 2024, but stressed that both the Govern and the Consell will not budge from their commitment to residents.
